For the first time in history, the Toronto Raptors win the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship overcoming the defending champions, the California Golden State Warriors, in the 2019 NBA finals. Game six of the finals resulted in a score of 114-110 Toronto on June 13, leading to their first championship for Canada. Enjoying the win along with the team is the NBA’s youngest general manager, Bobby Webster, a native of Kailua, Hawaii.
Tuiakana Toa, a freshman from Australia majoring in computer science, said of the NBA finals, “I know that Golden State came into the series as the favorites and they’ve won several times in the past few years, so it was nice to see the Raptors hustle and come out on top.”
“I remember when my home country, New Zealand, won sports titles. I felt very great and proud to be from there. I think Toronto and the country of Canada are experiencing a lot of those good feelings too because of the Raptors winning.”
Not only was this a win for the Toronto Raptors, but also an impressive win for General Manager Bobby Webster who is a native of Kailua, Oahu, and the youngest general manager in the NBA at 34 years old.
Titus Matagi, a sophomore from Utah majoring in business supply chain, confidently said of the Raptors victory, “I already knew it was going to happen. No doubt.
“I mean it’s [unfortunate] Golden State was hurt, but nonetheless the Raptors were still able to come out on top. I think the Raptors would have won. Either way, it would have gone to game seven. But at the end of the day, the Raptors won.”
With injuries to key players Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors, the road to the finals became an athletic war with the Toronto Raptors winning the series in six games.
Josh Hansen, a sophomore from Canada majoring in business management, said he felt ecstatic to see the Raptors overcome the Warriors for the title. “This Raptors team really was only constructed this past season. For them to be able to get the title like that and go up against some tough teams throughout the playoffs was incredible to see.”
The Toronto Raptors finished the regular season as the number two seed in the Eastern Conference and went through the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks en route to ousting the Golden State Warriors in the finals.
Toa added, “Initially, during the NBA playoffs, I was cheering for another team but they were eliminated. When I saw the Raptors going up against Golden State, I had to support the Raptors. They were the underdogs and had to beat the best team in the world. It was awesome to see them win.”
Key contributions from the Toronto Raptors team throughout the finals came from superstar Kawhi Leonard, veteran Raptor Point Guard Kyle Lowry, up and coming third-year player Pascal Siakam, Versatile Center Serge Ibaka, and mid-season acquisition Marc Gasol. Important contributions also came from bench players Fred Van Vleet and Norm Powell, all coached under rookie Head Coach Nick Nurse.
Leonard was named for the second time in his career as Finals MVP for the Toronto Raptors as he averaged 28.5 points 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals per game.
Writer: Will Krueger